Double stop motion for a creel



Oct. 10, 1967 J. A. F. RAYFIELD ETAL 3,345,695

DOUBLE STOP MOTION FOR A CREEL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 27. 1964 NAN. H m. 1

iwLw Nz mm $5M W INVENTORSZ limes ARTHUR E EAYFni-Lb I and Jo]:- E. WHFTE-HURST BYW Qfl/ZIULL Q ATTORNEYS Oct. 10, 1967 J R LD ETAL 3,345,695

DOUBLE STOP MOTION FOR A CREEL Filed April 27. 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 and Joe E. WHlTEI-HUEST ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,345,695 DOUBLE STOP MOTION FOR A CREEL James Arthur F. Rayfield, Stanley, and Joe R. Whitehurst, Bessemer City, N.C., assignors to Ideal Industries, Inc., Bessemer City, N.C., a corporation of North Carolina Filed Apr. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 362,788 7 Claims. (Cl. 19-.25)

The present application is a continuation-in-part of our copending application Ser. No. 362,797, filed Apr. 27, 1964, now Patent No. 3,305,896, and entitled Creel Stop Motion.

This invention relates generally to a double stop mo tion for a creel of the type that is associated with a textile processing machine in which a plurality of textile strands are Withdrawn from a supply source and guided along a predetermined path by the creel before they enter the textile strand processing machine. More particularly, the double stop motion of the present invention is provided with first strand detector means positioned adjacent the strand supply source and second strand detector means positioned adjacent the textile machine, each of these detector means being operable to immediately stop the textile machine when a strand breaks, when the supply source of a strand is exhausted, or when the tension in a strand falls below a predetermined level.

In the creel stop motion of our said copending application, each strand is engaged by a single strand detector that is shown positioned closely adjacent the textile machine and on the last strand guide arm of the creel. While the stop motion of our copending application operates properly to stop the textile machine before the tail end of an exhausted or broken strand is drawn into the textile machine, the machine is not stopped until the tail end of the strand passes over the last strand guide arm of the creel. Thus, when a break occurs in the strand near one of the rearmost strand supply cans or when the strand supply is exhausted, the strand is drawn through the creel before the textile machine is stopped so that the operator must then thread the leading end of the new strand through the entire creel to piece-up the same with the trailing end of the broken or exhausted strand at a position between the last strand guide arm and the textile machine. This threading of the new strand through the creel necessitates extra work on the part of the operator and also increases the time that the textile machine is out of operation.

With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide stop motion means for a creel which is operable to immediately stop the textile machine soon after a strand breaks, the strand supply is exhausted or the tension in the strand is reduced below a predetermined level, so that the strand can be quickly repaired and operation of the machine can be resumed in a short time.

It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide stop motion means of the type described wherein first detectors are positioned to engage the strands as they are withdrawn from the strand supply cans for immediately detecting a run-out or a broken strand and wherein second detectors are positioned on the last guide supports of the creel to engage the strands as they leave the creel to enter the textile machine, each of said first and second detectors being operable to immediately stop the textile machine.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in Which FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a drawing frame with a power-type creel connected thereto and extending rearwardly therefrom, with the double stop motion of the present invention associated therewith;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view, with parts in section, being taken substantially along the line 3-3 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an end View looking at the left-hand end of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially along the line 55 in FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 6 is a somewhat schematic wiring diagram illustrating the manner in which the stop motion detectors operate to stop the drawing frame.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the double stop motion is associated With the creel of a drawing frame, however, it is to be understood that the double stop motion may also be used with the creels of other types of textile processing machines. In the present instance, the drawing frame includes end frame members 10 and 11 that support two identical and conventional sections of drafting instrumentalities. Each section of drafting instrumentalities includes sets of upper and lower drafting rolls, the upper drafting rolls being indicated at 12 in FIGURE 1. As is well known, the successive sets of drafting rolls are driven at progressively increasing speeds for attenuating and drafting the fibers of the two groups of strands or slivers as they are passed therebetween.

After the strands or slivers pass through the drafting rolls 12, they are guided through guide tubes 14 and into the conventional trumpet, calender rolls and tube gear, to be deposited in the coiler can, not shown. The drive mechanism of the drawing frame includes an electric drive motor 16 (FIGURE 1) which is connected to one side of an electromagnetic clutch 17. The electromagnetic clutch 17 may be one of several types that are commercially available, such as one manufactured by Stearns Electric Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis, under their No. 5.5 SMR, and illustrated in their drawing No. C3105-I. dated May 17, 1961.

The other side of the electromagnetic clutch 17 is connected to a drive pulley 20 that is engaged by a drive belt 21. A drive pulley 22 is engaged by the belt 21 and is suitably connected to conventional drive gears in a housing 23. When the electromagnetic clutch 17 is energized, rotation will be imparted to the pulley 20, the drive belt 21, the drive pulley 22, and the drive gears in the housing 23. The drive gears in the housing 23 impart rotation to the drafting rolls 12 and to a set of drive gears in a gear housing 25 so that the successive sets of drafting rolls are rotated in the proper timed relationship. The drive gears in the gear housing 23 also impart rotation to the coiler cans, tube gear and calender rolls in a wellknown manner.

An apron 30 is suitably supported between the end frame members 10 and 11 and extends. rearwardly from beneath the sets of dnafting rolls 12, as shown in FIG- URE 1. A plurality of sets of sliver supply cans C are spaced rearwardly of the drawing frame and beneath the creel which directs the slivers S upwardly from the supply cans C and forwardly into the drafting rolls 12 of the drawing frame.

In this instance, the creel is shown as being of the type generally known as a power creel, however, it is to be understood that the double stop motion of the present invention can also be used with a creel in which the lifter arms are stationary. The creel includes a main drive hous ing 32, the forward end of which is suitably secured to the rearmost portion of the apron 30. The main drive housing 32 is supported at spaced positions therealong by suitable support standards 33 (FIGURE 2), the lower portions of which are supported on the floor on which the supply cans C and the drawing frame are supported.

Rotating strand lifter rolls, broadly designated at 35, are spaced rearwardly of the drawing frame and suitably supported, in a manner to be presently described, on the main drive housing 32. The lifter rolls 35 are rotated with operation of the drawing frame, and in timed relationship to rotation of the drafting rolls 12 to lift the slivers Sl through S-S from the successive sets of supply cans C and direct them forwardly to the drawing frame. As clearly shown in FIGURE 1, a sliver is picked up from each of the supply cans C so that a complete set of slivers passes over the forwardmost or last lifter rolls 35 before passing into the drafting rolls.

A main drive shaft 40 is suitably supported within the creel drive housing 32 (FIGURE 3) and extends rearwardly throughout the length of the creel. The forward end of the drive shaft 40 is suitably connected to a drive shaft 42 (FIGURE 1) to which rotation is imparted by means of a sprocket chain 43. The sprocket chain 43 extends into the gear housing 25 and is suitably connected to a drive sprocket, not shown, which is rotated by means of the drive gearing of the drafting rolls 12.

Helical drive gears 44, only one of which is shown in FIGURE 3, are fixed along the main drive shaft 40 at each set of lifter rolls 35. At each of the helical drive gears 44, the medial portion of a lifter roll drive shaft 46 is supported for rotation in bearings 47 (FIGURE 3), only one of which is shown, that are suitably secured to the drive housing 32. The lifter roll drive shaft 46 extends outwardly from opposite sides of the housing 32 and a helical gear 48 (FIGURE 3) is suitably fixed on the drive shaft 46 and matingly engages with the helical gear 44 to impart continuous rotation to the roll shaft 46 when driving rotation is imparted to the main drive shaft 40 from the drawing frame. Thus, any time that the drawing frame is in operation and the drafting rolls 12 are drawing the slivers into the drawing frame, the roll drive shafts 46, at each lifter roll 35, will be rotated in proper timed relationship thereto to lift the strand from the successive supply can C and feed the same forwardly to the drawing frame.

Each of the lifter rolls 35 is identical and therefore, only one roll of the last set of lifter rolls has been shown in detail in FIGURE 3, the preceding lifter rolls are successively shortened by one guide passageway as they are spaced rearwardly of the drawing frame, as is best shown in FIGURE 1. As shown in FIGURE 3, the forwardmost or last lifter roll 35 includes a pair of end collars 52 which have outwardly extending hubs that are suitably secured for longitudinal adjustment on the roll shaft 46, as by set screws 53.

A series of strand separator collars 54 and a series of lifter roll segments 55 are mounted on the shaft 46 and between the end collars 53. Each of the lifter roll segments 55 is hexagonal in cross-section (FIGURE to provide gripping surface for lifting the strands from the cans C and for reducing the friction of the strands as they move forwardly thereover. A lock pin 56 extends through suitable openings in the roll segments 55 and the collars 52, 54 to prevent rotation relative to each other and to the roll drive shaft 46. The spaced collars 52, 54 define strand guiding passageways or slots through which the strands are guided forwardly into the drawing frame in side-byside, spaced apart relationship along a substantially horizontal path.

Usually, eight strands are guided into each roll section of the drawing frame from the last lifter roll 35 so that each section of the drawing frame receives eight strands from the creel. However, the lifter rolls 35 may be of suflicient length to accommodate any desired number of strands. For ease of description, the strands are indicated at 8-1 through S8 and corresponding detector fingers 'F1 through F8 are supported to ride on the strands as they pass over the last lifter roll 35 (FIGURE 3). Identical detector fingers D-2 through D-8 (FIGURE 2) are supported to ride on the corresponding strands S2 through S8 as they are drawn up from their supply cans C and pass over their respective lifter rolls 35.

Since all of the detector fingers are the same, only one detector finger will be described in detail and corresponding parts of the other fingers will bear like reference characters.

The detector fingers F-l through F-8 and D-l through D8 each includes downwardly extending strand guiding side flanges 5-7 and 58 (FIGURES 35) which straddle the corresponding strand. The lower edges of the side flanges slope upwardly toward the pivot point of the detector finger and serve as cam means for lifting the detector, in a manner to be presently described. As shown in FIGURE 5, the flange '58 engages the periphery of the segmental roll section when the medial portion of the free end of the detector finger is not properly supported by a strand to knock off the drawing frame and creel, in a manner to be presently described.

The upper medial portion of each of the detector fingers F1 through F-8 is cut longitudinally and the two outer portions are bent upwardly to form semi-circular portions while the medial portion is bent downwardly to form a semi-circular portion. The semi-circular portions form a pivot for each finger as they pass around opposite sides of a pivot pin 60. The pivot pin 60 is preferably in the form of a shoulder screw having an enlarged head on one end and a reduced threaded portion on the other end that is screwed into the upper end of a C-shaped support bracket 62. The lower end of the support bracket 62 is suitably secured to the upper surface of a transverse support bar '63. Each detector finger is maintained in the proper position on the pivot pin 60 by a spacer 64 (FIG- URE 3).

A finger-engaging tab 65 is provided on the upper end of each detector finger and may be used to lift the free end during a threading-up operation. The transverse support bar 63 extends beneath the creel drive housing 32 (FIGURE 2) and is suitably connected thereto and electrically insulated therefrom by a bracket 68. The horizontal flange of the bracket 68 is connected to the support bar 63 by screws 69 and a plate 70 which are both preferably formed of electrical insulation material, such as nylon.

As is best shown in FIGURE 3, each of the detector fingers F-1 through F-8 is individually supported in spaced relation for pivotal movement on the separate C- shaped support brackets 62. The pivot pins 60 terminate in spaced relationship from the upper end of the adjacent bracket 62 to provide access passageways or spaces in conjunction with the spaced detector fingers through which access passageways medial portions of the strands may be passed from above during a threading-up operation to be positioned beneath the detector fingers.

In threading up a new strand, a medial portion of the strand is moved downwardly between the collars of the lifter roll 35 and pulled forwardly so that the sloping lower cam edge of the flange 58 will be engaged by the forwardly moving strand to lift the detector finger. With further forward movement of the strand, the strand will be automatically drawn in alinement beneath the detector finger with the finger being supported and riding on the strand. If desired, the tab portion 65 may be moved downwardly to lift the free end of the detector finger so that the strand may be manually placed therebeneath.

As is best shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, the strand guiding flanges 57 and 58 extend downwardly a suflicient distance so that they will engage the roll segments 55 if the tension in the strand becomes so loose that it hangs down as it passes over the roll segment 55 of the last lifter roll. It is preferred that the strand guiding flanges 57 and 58 extend downwardly beside the corresponding sides of the strand a distance that is slightly greater than the thickness of the strand.

One end of an electric wire 72 is connected to each of the transverse support bars 63 beneath each of the lifter rolls 35. The other end of the wire 72 is connected to an electrical circuit, such as that schematically illustrated in FIGURE 6. The lifter rolls 35 are each grounded, as at 73, through the drive housing and the drawing frame. The drawing frame drive motor 16 is connected to a suitable source of electrical energy, not shown, by main lead wires 76, 77 and 78 which have a manually operable main switch 81) interposed therein. A pair of wires 81, 82 extend from the main wires 76 and 77 and to the primary coil of a transformer unit 83. One end of a wire 85 is connected to one side of a secondary coil 83a of the transformer 83 and its opposite end is connected to one side of the electromagnetic clutch 17. The other side of the electromagnetic clutch 17 has one end of a wire 86 connected thereto, the opposite end of which is connected to one side of a relay switch 87 which is operated by means of a relay 88. One end of a wire 89 is connected to the other side of the relay switch 87 and its other end is connected to the other side of the secondary coil 83a of the transformer 83.

The relay switch 37 is normally maintained in the solid line position shown in FIGURE 6 so that an electrical circuit is completed to the electromagnetic clutch 17 through the-wires 85, 86 and 89, and driving motion from the motor 16 is transmitted to the drafting rolls 12 through means of the pulleys 20, 22, belt 21 and the gears in the gear housing 23. When the relay switch 87 is moved to the open position shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 6, in a manner to be presently described, the electrical circuit to the electromagnetic clutch 17 is broken to immediately stop the drawing frame and rotation of the drafting rolls 12.

A wire 90 is connected between one side of the relay 88 and one side of a secondary transformer coil 83b and the other side of the secondary coil 83b is grounded as at 91. The wire 72 connects the support bars 63 to the other side of the relay 88 so that when any one of the detector fingers engages one of the roll segments 55, the electrical circuit is completed and the relay 88 is energized to move the relay switch 87 from the solid line po sition to the dotted line position in FIGURE 6 thereby breaking the electrical circuit to the electromagnetic clutch 17.

A holding circuit for the relay 88 is provided and includes a wire 93, one end of which is connected to the wire 72 and its other end is connected to one contact of the normally open side of the switch 87. A wire 94- is connected at one end to the other contact of the normally open side of the switch 87 and its other end is connected to one side of a manual reset switch 95. The other side of the reset switch 95 is grounded as at 96.

The detector fingers and their corresponding roll segments 55 define the two operating elements of a stop motion switch mechanism and when any one of the detector fingers is not properly supported by a corresponding strand, such as when a break occurs in the strand, when the supply of strand material in the cans C is exhausted, or when there is no tension on the strand, the side flanges 57, 58- of the detector finger will contact the corresponding roll segment 55 to complete an electrical circuit and actuate the relay 88. When the relay 88 is actuated, the switch 87 will be drawn up to the dotted line position shown in FIGURE 6 to thereby break the electrical circuit to the electromagnetic clutch 17.

When the electrical circuit to the electromagnetic clutch 17 is broken, the driving connection between the electric motor 16 and the drafting rolls 12 is disconnected to immediately stop movement of the drafting rolls 12 so that the strands are no longer pulled into the drawing frame. The holding circuit, including the manual reset switch 95 will maintain the circuit to the clutch 17 open until the strands are repaired and then the reset switch 95 is pushed to again complete the circuit to the clutch 17.

.Thus, each of the strands S-2 through S-8 has a first detector finger riding on and supported thereby at a point closely adjacent the initial or primary passageway in the respective lifter roll through which the corresponding strand passes as it is drawn upwardly from its corresponding supply can C. As shown in FIGURE 1, theprimary passageways are preferably positioned. at the outermost ends of the lifter rolls 35 and the strands are initially drawn upwardly from the supply cans C and pass through these primary passageways. Also, all the lifter rolls 35 (except the remote or rearmost lifter roll) have additional or secondary passageways therein. which aid in guiding the strands forwardly to the drafting rolls 12. Since the supply cans C are usually offset outwardly of the outer ends of the lifter rolls, the C-shaped brackets 62 serve as guide means for the strands as they are lifted from the supply cans C. Thus, the C-shaped brackets 62 engage the strands and prevent their engagement with the outermost collars 52 of the lifter rolls.

Also, the strands S2 through 8-8 have respective second detector fingers F-2 through F-8 engaging the same at a point closely adjacent the secondary passageways of the forwardmost lifter roll. Thus, in the event that the supply is exhausted in any one of the cans or if a break occurs between the supply can and the initial lifter roll, the drawing frame will immediately be stopped by the corresponding detector fingers D-2 through D-8 or F-1.

Then, the trailing end of the broken strand will stop closely adjacent the initial lifter roll so that the leading end of a new strand can be easily connected thereto. If a break occurs in any of the strands between the forward most lifter roll and the drawing frame, the drawing frame will be stopped by the corresponding detector fingers F1 through 1 8 as soon as the free end of the strand passes over the forwardmost lifter roll 35. It is thus seen that two stop motion detectors are provided for each strand, except the strand S-l where the single detector finger F-1 acts to stop the drawing frame as soon as a break occurs or when the supply is exhausted. When the drawing frame is stopped by any one of the detector fingers D-2 through D-8, the threading-up or piecing-up operation is simplified and it is not necessary to thread a new strand through all of the secondary passageways of the succeeding lifter rolls, as would be the case if only the detector fingers F-2 through F-8 were provided.

While the double stop motion of the present invention is shown associated with a power-type creel, it is to be understood that this stop motion could also be applied to a creel in which the lifter arms are stationary and then one detector finger would be positioned adjacent the primary passageways of the lifter arms over each supply can and a bank of series or detector fingers would be positioned adjacent the primary and each secondary passageway of the forwardmost lifter guide arm.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention-being defined in the claims.

We claim:

1. In a textile strand processing machine having fiber drafting means, the combination of i (a) an elongate creel having a forward end disposed adjacent said fiber drafting means and a rearward end remote therefrom, said creel including (1) a series of transversely disposed strand lifter guides successively arranged from the rearward end of the creel to the forward end thereof,

(2) each of said strand lifter guides having at least one primary passageway therein for guiding a strand from a supply source positioned therebelow toward said drafting means,

(3) at least the forwardmost strand lifter guide having secondary passageways through which the strands are adapted to pass from said preceding primary passageways in a predetermined path of travel toward said drafting means,

(4) at least some of said preceding lifter guides also having secondary passageways therein to aid in guiding the strands from said primary passageways to said secondary passageways of 5 8 (3) means operatively associated with said first and second strand detecting means and said drafting means for interrupting the operation of said drafting means in response to actuation of either of said first and second strand detecting means. 3. In a textile strand processing machine having fiber drafting means, the combination of (a) an elongate creel having a forward end disposed adjacent said fiber drafting means and a rearward end remote therefrom, said creel including and being actuated there-by, (2) second strand detecting means operatively associated with each of said secondary passage- (1) a series of transversely disposed strand lifter guides successively arranged from the rearward end of the creel to the forward end thereof,

ways in said forwardmost strand lifter guide for ea'eh of said strand lifter guides having at detecting the absence of a strand in any one of least One P y passageway therein for guidsaid corresponding secondary passageways and ing a strand from a pp souree Positiened for also detecting departure of a strand from its therebelOW toward said drafting means, predetermined path of travel passing through at least the forwardmost strand lifter guide any one of said corresponding secondary pashaving secondary passageways through which sageways and being actuated thereby, said secihestranels are adapted to P from said P ond strand detecting means including a detector Cedlng P 'y passageways in a predetermined finger for each of said secondary passageways, P of travel tewafdsaid drafting means, and supports mounting said detector fingers in at least some of sald Preceding lifter guides operative association with said secondary pasl ns secondary p g w y r ln to sageways each support and detector finger carend In guldlng e strands from said P y ried thereby being spaced from the adjacent suppassageways to 3 secondary passageways of port and detector finger and defining therewith sald forwardmest llften gnlde, and a strand access passageway into said secondary strand actuated P Inetlon means eemprlslng passageway to facilitate threading of strands efirst strand deteefor finger ln t y mounted therein), and ad acent each of said strand lifter guides, each (3) means operatively associated with said first of sald detector fingers havlng free end 101- and second strand detecting means and said Inany adapted to e 0n be supported y drafting means for interrupting the operation of the strand at a pe jn n P y said drafting means in response to actuation passageways 0f sald and llfter guides,

of either of said first and second strand detecting means.

(2) second strand detector fingers pivotally mounted adjacent each of said secondary passageways in said forwardmost strand lifter guide and having a free end normally adapted to ride on and be supported by the strands passing through the corresponding secondary passage ways of said 'forwardmost strand lifter "guide and being downwardly movable in the absence of a strand in said secondary passageway and also upon a predetermined decrease in tension therein,

(3) said first and second detector fingers each hav- 2. In a textile strand processing machine having fiber drafting means, the combination of (a) an elongate creel having a forward end disposed adjacent said fiber drafting means and a rearward end remote therefrom, said creel including (1) a series of transversely disposed strand lifter guides successively arranged from the rearward end of the creel to the forward end thereof, 5 (2) each of said strand lifter guides having at least one primary passageway therein for guiding a strand from a supply source positioned therebelow toward said drafting means,

(3) successive strand lifter guides having seconding at least one strand guiding side flange extending downwardly toward the associated strand passageway, and

(4) means operatively associated with said side flanges of said first and second detector fingers and responsive to a predetermined downward movement thereof for interrupting the operation of said drafting means. 4. In a drawing frame having sets of drafting rolls, the combination of (a) an elongate creel having a forward end disposed adjacent said fiber drafting means and a rearward end remote therefrom, said creel including a strand in anyone of said primary passageways and for also detecting a predetermined decrease in tension in such strand and being actuated thereby,

(2) second strand detecting means operatively as- (1) a series of transversely disposed strand lifter guides successively arranged from the rearward end of the creel to the forward end thereof,

(2) each of said strand lifter guides having at sociated with each of said secondary passagei i gg zg passageway therein j ways in the forwardmost strand lifter guide for thzrebelow ig; g g i lone detecting the absence of a strand in any one of (3) at least the forwardmost g i r guide said corresponding secondary passageways and having secondary passageways through which F also deteftmg departure of a sfnand from 7 the strands are adapted to pass from said pre- 1ts predetermlned path of travel passlng through ceding primary passageways in a predetermined y One of 831d eorrespondnlg secondary P path of travel toward said drafting rolls, sageways f fenalsedeteetlng a pfedetefnllned (4) at least some of said preceding lifter guides decrease in tension in such strand and being also having secondary passageways therein to actuated thereby, and aid in guiding the strands from said primary (b) strand actuated stop motion means comprising (1) a first strand detector finger pivotally mounted being engageable thereby when any one of said fingers is not supported by the corresponding strands, and

(4) means operatively associated with said first adjacent each of said strand lifter guides, each 5 and second detector fingers, corresponding conof said detector fingers having a free end nortact means and said drafting roll drive means mally adapted to ride on and be supported by for interrupting the operation of said drafting the strand at a position adjacent said primary roll drive means in response to engagement of passageways of said strand lifter guides, .any one of said first and second detector fingers (2) second strand detector fingers pivotally with its respective contact means.

mounted adjacent each of said secondary passageways in said forwardmost strand lifter guide and having a free end normally adapted to ride on and be supported by the strands passing through the corresponding secondary passageways of said [forwardmost strand lifter guide,

6. In a textile strand processing machine having fiber drafting means and a supply of strands being fed thereto, the combination of (a) an elongate creel having a forward end disposed adjacent said fiber drafting means and a rearward end remote therefrom, said creel including (3) said first and second detector fingers each having at least one strand guiding side flange extending downwardly toward the associated (1) a series of transversely disposed strand lifter guides successively arranged from the rearward end of the creel to the forward end thereof,

strand passageway, (2) said strand lifter guides having passageways (4) each of said lifter guides having contact means therein for guiding said strands upwardly from positioned in the pivotal path of movement and supply sources positioned therebelow and forbelow the side flange of each of said detector wardly toward said drafting means, and fingers and being engageable thereby when any (3) the number of passageways in the forwardone of said fingers is not supported by the cormost strand lifter guide corresponding to the responding strands, and number of said strands normally passing into (5) means operatively associated with said first said fiber drafting means,

and second detector fingers, corresponding con- (b) strand actuated stop motion means comprising tact means and said drafting rolls for interrupt- (1) a first strand detector finger pivotally mounted ing the operation of said drafting rolls in readjacent each of said strand lifter guides, each sponse to engagement of either of said first and second detector fingers with said contact means.

of said detector fingers having a free end normally adapted to ride on and be supported by said strand at a position closely adjacent the 5. In a drawing frame having sets of drafting rolls and drive means for imparting movement to said rolls, the combination of (a) an elongate creel having a forward end disposed adjacent said fiber drafting means and a rearward end remote therefrom, said creel including point that said strand is initially drawn through a passageway from the corresponding supply source,

(2) a row of second strand detector fingers pivotally mounted adjacent said forwardmost 1) a series of transversely disposed rotatable strand lifter guide and having a free end norstrand lifter rolls successively arranged from the h y adapted to ride on and he Supported by rearward end of the creel to the forward end Sald Strands Passing through the passageways thereof, from preceding strand lifter guides, (2) drive means for imparting rotation to said h first and Second detector fingers h lifter rolls from said drafting roll drive means, havlhg least Strand guiding Side flange (3) each of said strand lifter rolls having at least extending downwardly toward the ss ciated one primary passageway therein for guiding a Strand p g y, strand from a supply source positioned there fiach 0f Sald Strand httef guldes having C0I1- b l toward id d f i 11 tact means positioned in the pivotal path of (4) at least the forwardmost strand lifter roll mPVemeht and below the Side flange of each of having secondary passageways through which 5 Sald Strand detector fingers and being engagethe strands are adapted to pass from said preable thereby when y 0116 t Said fingers is t ceding primary passageways in a predetermined Supported y col'fespohdlhg t and path of travel toward said drafting rolls, (5) means operatrvely associated with said first (5) at least some of said preceding lifter rolls also and Second detectof fingers; corl'espohdmg C011- having secondary passageways therein to aid tact means and said drafting means for interin guiding the strands from said primary passageways to said secondary passageways of said forwardmost lifter roll, and

rupting the operation of said drafting means in response to engagement of either of said first and second detector fingers with said contact means.

(b) strand actuated stop motion means comprising (1) a first strand detector finger pivotally mounted 0 adjacent each of said first strand lifter rolls, each of said detector fingers having a free end adapted to ride on and be supported by the corresponding strand at a position adjacent said 7. In a textile strand processing machine having fiber drafting means, the combination of (a) an elongate creel having a forward end disposed adjacent said fiber drafting means and a rearward end remote therefrom, said creel including primary passageways of said strand lifter rolls, 5 1) a series of transversely disposed rotatable (2) second strand detector fingers pivotally strand lifter "guides successively arranged from mounted adjacent each of said secondary pasthe rearward end of the creel to the forward sageways in said forwardmost strand lifter roll end thereof, and having a free end normally adapted to ride (2) each of said strand lifter guides having at on and be supported by the strands passing least one primary passageway therein for guidthrough the corresponding secondary passageing a strand from a supply source positioned ways of said forwardmost strand lifter roll, therebelow toward said drafting means, (3) each of said lifter rolls having contact means (3) at least the forwardmost strand lifter guide positioned in the pivotal path of movement of having secondary passageways through which each of said first and second detector fingers and the strands are adapted to pass from said preceding primary passageways in a predetermined sageways and being actuated thereby, and path of travel toward said drafting means, (3) means operatively associated with said first (4) at least some of said preceding lifter guides and second strand detecting means and said also having secondary passageways therein to drafting means for interrupting the operation of aid in guiding the strands from said primary 5 said drafting means in response to actuation of passageways to said secondary passageways of either of said first and second strand detecting said forwardmost lifter guide, means.

(5) drive means for rotating said lifter guides to .aid in feeding the strands to said drafting means, References Cited and 10 UNITED STATES PATENTS (b) strand actuated stop motlon means comprising (1) first strand detecting means operatively asso- 1,117,721 11/1914 Straw 19157 ciated with said primary passageways in said 2,712,676 7/1955 McIntyre XR strand lifter guides for detecting the absence of FOREIGN PATENTS a strand in any one of said primary passageways 15 and being actuated thereby, 510613 1/1955 Italy' (2) second strand detecting means operatively as- 593:275 5/1959 Italysociated with each of said secondary passage- OTHER REFERENCES ways in said forwardmost strand lifter guide for detecting the absence of a strand in any one of 20 said corresponding secondary passageways and for also detecting departure of a strand from its predetermined path of travel passing through MERVIN STEIN Examiner any one of said corresponding secondary pas- D. NEWTON, Assistant Examiner.

Saco-Lowell Bulletin, December 1957, page 55. Saco-Lowell Bulletin, October 1962, page 16. 

1. IN A TEXTILE STRAND PROCESSING MACHINE HAVING FIBER (A) DRAFTING MEANS, THE COMBINATION OF (A) AN ELONGATED CREEL HAVING A FORWARD END DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID FIBER DRAFTING MEANS AND A REARWARD END REMOTE THEREFROM, SAID CREEL INCLUDING (1) A SERIES OF TRANSVERSELY DISPOSED STRAND LIFTER GUIDES SUCCESSIVELY ARRANGED FROM THE REARWARD END OF THE CREEL TO THE FORWARD END THEREOF, (2) EACH OF SAID STRAND LIFTER GUIDES HAVING AT LEAST ONE PRIMARY PASSAGEWAY THEREIN FOR GUIDING A STRAND FROM A SUPPLY SOURCE POSITIONED THEREBELOW TOWARD SAID DRAFTING MEANS, (3) AT LEAST THE FORWARDMOST STRAND LIFTER GUIDE HAVING SECONDARY PASSAGEWAYS THROUGH WHICH THE STRANDS ARE ADAPTED TO PASS FROM SAID PRECEDING PRIMARY PASSAGEWAYS IN A PREDETERMINED PATH OF TRAVEL TOWARD SAID DRAFTING MEANS, (4) AT LEAST SOME OF SAID PRECEDING LIFTER GUIDES ALSO HAVING SECONDARY PASSAGEWAYS THEREIN TO AID IN GUIDING THE STRANDS FROM SAID PRIMARY PASSAGEWAYS TO SAID SECONDARY PASSAGEWAYS OF SAID FORWARDMOST LIFTER GUIDE, AND (B) STRAND ACTUATED STOP MOTION MEANS COMPRISING (1) FIRST STRAND DETECTING MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID PRIMARY PASSAGEWAYS IN SAID STRAND LIFTER GUIDES FOR DETECTING THE ABSENCE OF A STRAND IN ANY ONE OF SAID PRIMARY PASSAGEWAYS AND BEING ACTUATED THEREBY, (2) SECOND STRAND DETECTING MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH EACH OF SAID SECONDARY PASSAGEWAYS IN SAID FORWARDMOST STRAND LIFTER GUIDE FOR DETECTING THE ABSENCE OF A STRAND IN ANY ONE OF SAID CORRESPONDING SECONDARY PASSAGEWAYS AND FOR ALSO DETECTING DEPARTURE OF A STRAND FROM ITS PREDETERMINED PATH OF TRAVEL PASSING THROUGH ANY ONE OF SAID CORRESPONDING SECONDARY PASSAGEWAYS AND BEING ACTUATED THEREBY, SAID SECOND STRAND DETECTING MEANS INCLUDING A DETECTOR FINGER FOR EACH OF SAID SECONDARY PASSAGEWAYS, AND SUPPORTS MOUNTING SAID DETECTOR FINGERS IN OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION WITH SAID SECONDARY PASSAGEWAYS EACH SUPPORT AND DETECTOR FINGER CARRIED THEREBY BEING SPACED FROM THE ADJACENT SUPPORT AND DETECTOR FINGER AND DEFINING THEREWITH A STRAND ACCESS PASSAGEWAY INTO SAID SECONDARY PASSAGEWAY TO FACILITATE THREADING OF STRANDS THEREINTO, AND (3) MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID FIRST AND SECOND STRAND DETECTING MEANS AND SAID DRAFTING MEANS FOR INTERRUPTING THE OPERATION OF SAID DRAFTING MEANS IN RESPONSE TO ACTUATION OF EITHER OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND STRAND DETECTING MEANS. 